Apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid.



` No. 688,020. Patented Dec. 3, |901'.

R. KNIETSCH.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE F SULFURIC ANHYDRID.

(Application filed Oct. 31, 1899.)

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Nof 688,020.

A R. KNIETSCH. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTUBE 0F SULFURIC ANHYDRID.

(Application ld Oct. 31, 1899.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' (Nq Model.)

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fM-@M N0; 688,026. Patented Dec. 3, I9OI.

R. KNIETSCH. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTUHE 0F SULFUHIG ANHYDRID.

(Application led Oct. 31, 1899.) (No Model.) 9 Sheets- Sheet 4.

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. f Patented Dec. 3, 190|. B. KNIETSCH. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUEACTUBEDF SULFURIG AIIHYDBID.`

(Application led Oct. 31, 1899.)

9 Sheets-'Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

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WITNESSES A9, ffy/M@ Patented nec. 3, |901.

h n. KNIETSCH. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE 0F SULFURIC ANHYDRID.

(Application med occ. s1, 1599.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 6.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR ATTORNEYJI TH: Nomus etres; 0, P

No. 688,020. Patnted Dec.- 3,190l.

R.- KmETscH.

APPARATUS FOR THE-MANUFACTURE 0F SULFURIG ANHYDRID. (Appnction med oct. a1, 1899.)

(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 7.

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. Patented' ne. 3, |001.

a. KNIETscH. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFAGTURE 0F 'SULFURIC ANHYDRID.

. (Application filed Oct. 31, 1899.) (N0 Model.) 49 Sheets-Sheet 8.

WITNESSES: l 14M' ma ATTORNEYS.

Vr B Patented Dec. 3, |901.

H. KmETscH. l APPARTUS FOB THE MANUFACTURE 0F SULFURIG ANHYDRID.

(Application led Oct. 31, 1899.)

9 Sheets-Sheet 9.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR WITNESSES 1f/we ATTORNEYS Tur. Noms Penas do. num-uma.4 wAsulNaroN. u. s:y

'i A"UNTTED STATI-is PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLF KNIETSCH, OF LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO TI'IE BADISOHE ANILIN- & SODA-FABRIK, OF LUDWIGSHAFEN, BAVARIA, GERMANY, A CORPORATION OF GERMANY.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SULFURIC ANHYDRlD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 688,020, dated December 3, 1901. Original application filed July 14. 1898, Serial No. 685,969. Divided and this application iiled October 3l, 1899. Serial 4drid a considerable amount of heat is evolved.

This is stated in literature to be in accortiance with the equation SO-l-O I SOS-F32. 2 calories.

(See Hess, Poggencloifs Annalen Vol. 56, page 471, 1842; Thomsen, Annalen der (llieinie und Pharmacie 4,1701. 30, page 442, 1873; Ostwald, Allgemeine Chemie, 2d edition, Vol. 2, pages 123 and 124.) The reaction between sulfur dioxid and oxygen only takes place at an elevated temperature, so that it is necessary to submit the gases either separately or in admixture to a preliminary heating. Such heat was applied by exposing the tubes to a low red heat maintained in a surrounding heated chamber from a furnace, as shown in Rat-hs German Patent No. 22,118 of 1883, or in Ellice-Clarks English Patent No. 3,166 of 1888, or in Haenisch and Schroeders United States Patent No. 384,841, of 1888, or in Starcks English Patent No. 12,028 of 1889. During` the reaction the heat of chemical union becomes added to that applied, and thus the temperature at the zone of maximum reaction may rise to a high degree, even to a bright-red heat, according to the richness in sulfur dioxid of the gas mixture or to the strength of the current of the gases, or both. It has long been known that the low percentage in yield of SOS was the obstacle preventing the commercial success ot' the contact method, and various causes have been suggested for this low percentage, such as the nature of the contact material or the presence of diluting gases; but it remained for me to discover that the high temperature (No model.)

above referred to was the true cause and to provide the hereinafter-described apparatus based upon such discovery as a remedy for the diiiiculty. By an apparatus regulating the temperature of the contents of the chamber containing the contact substance in such manner as to substantially avoid the presence therein of excess of heat due to the reaction I attain a condition of temperature in the contact-chamber which is within wide limits independent ot' the quantity and richness of the gas mixture treated and oy which it is possible to obtain a practically quantitative yield of sulfuric anhydrid to a degree comparable with the action in the sulfuric-acid chambers, par-r ticularly when the apparatus also restrains the zone of maximum reaction against movement away from thefirst portion of the contact substance and maintains a decreasingte'mperature from this zone to the latter portionof the contact substance. This approximately quantitative yield is alsoV accompanied by' other advantages, such as the preservation of the iron` parts of the apparatus against ,destruct-ion by oxidation, as well as the preservation of the contact substance against weakening. In this apparatus platinized asbestos is the contact material recommended for use. It can, for instance, be prepared as described in the specification of Winklers German Patent No. 4,566. (See alsoLunges Snlphnric Acid and Alkali, 2d edition,Vol. 1,

page 863, and Dammer, Chemische Technologie, Vol. 1, page 189.) With the receptacle containing the contact material I combine a holder whereby a cooling medium is held in such proximity tothe contact material that the excess of heat generated by the reaction is removed. 'lhe temperature ot this cooling medium is below the decomposingtemperature ot' the sulfuric anhydrid being formed, and the apparatus is provided with means which enable the accurate and prompt control of the capacity of said cooling medium for absorbing said excess of heat either by regu- Y lating the volume or temperature, or both, of

the same.

My new apparatus can be varied 1n many respects. In its use particular regard must be had to the richness of the gases to be treated. I generally construct the apparatus so as effect the cooling of the contactchamber, so as to produce the most favorable range of temperature therein, by means of a current of gas held in close contact with the contact-m aterial receptacle by a surrounding inclosure. Both the rate of flow and the temperature of this current are kept under xo control. I use, for instance, air in this way or the actual gases which are to be treated themselves; but the cooling can be effected in other ways-for instance, in liquid-baths, especially molten-metal baths,whose temperatures are under control. When the apparatus is so constructed that the gases to be treated are themselves used for cooling the contactchamber, a part or the whole ofthe current of gases so to be treated is caused to pass zo through the space exterior to the chamber containing the contact substance, so as to withdraw from the latter the excess of heat due to the reaction. The gases coming from the cooling-chamber are thus in some cases brought to the temperature best suited for the most favorable'course of the reaction, and in other cases a further heatingor a cooling operation is necessary. This depends largely upon the richness-of the gases.

In the preferred embodiment of this apparatus the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed from the converted gas as it is passing through the reaction-chamber by the absorption of such heat in the gas which is about to be converted by causing the Whole or a portion of the gas about to be converted to be 'passed Within heat-absorbing proximity r//-tfthe converted gas while said converted gas is in the course of its passage through the 4o contact-cliarnbei,whereby the maxim um temperature Within the contact-chamber is restricted substantially between the limits of composition and decomposition of sulfuric anhydrid.

I describe my apparatus in various forms in the following typical examples, having reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 represents, in vertical section, a form of apparatus in which a single contact- 5o tube is employed and in which the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed byacurrent of air. Fig. 2 represents the same, With the exception that it contains a plurality of contact-tubes. Fig. 3 represents an elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus in which a single contact-tube is employed in which the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed by a current of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen on its Way to the 6o ingress end of the contact-tube. Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus in which ythere is a plurality of contact-tubes and in which the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed by a current of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen on its Way tothe ingress ends of the tubes, and which apparatus contains additional means for distributing such current along and against the outside of the contact-tubes and for mixing the same preparatory to its entrance into the contact-tubes. Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus containing a plurality ot' contact-tubes and in which the excess of heat due to the reaction :is removed by the current of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen on its Way to the ingress ends of the contact-tubes, and which apparatus is provided with particular means for directing said current. Fig. 6 represents an elevation, partly in section, of another form of apparatus containing a single contact-tube and in which the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed by a current of air and then transferred to the current of gas containingsulfur dioxid and oxygen on its way to the ingress end of the contact-tube. Fig. 7 is an elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus containing a single contact-tube and in which the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed by a current of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen on its way to the ingress end of the contact-tube, which current passes in the same direction both adjacent to the outside and on the insideof said tube and not inversely, as in the preceding figures. Fig. 8 is a similar apparatus, excepting that it contains a plurality of contact-tubes and additional means for distributing, deiiecting, and mixing the current of gas containing sulfur dioxidA and oxygen. Fig. 9 is an elevation, partly in section, of an apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 7, excepting that the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed by a current of air from which said heat is transferred tothe current of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen on its way to the ingress end of the contacttube. Fig. l0 is a vertical section of another form of apparatus containing a single contact-tube, in which the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed by a current o`f gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen on its Way to the ingress end of the contact-tube. Fig. 11 is a vertical section of an apparatus similar to Vthe last excepting that it contains a plurality ot' contact-tubes.

In all of the above figures certain correspondin g parts are lettered as follows:

M is an inclosure, which may consist of brickwork or of other suitable material.

R is the contact chamber or chambers, shown in the form of a tube or tubes supported at one end by the tube-plate W and in most of the figures at the other end by the tube-plate W'.

S is an air-passage surrounding the contact tube or tubes t'rom end to end and having an inlet 'n at one end and an outlet L at the other end.

h h are means of heating the air-current at or near the entrance end of the passage S', which heating means shouldbe capable of prompt extinction, lighting, and regulation, such as gas-dames or their equivalents.y The IOD ITO

l tube or tubes.

S2 is a tube secured to the tube-plate W, whereby the passages S and S are separated.

c is a passage by which lthe sulfuric anhydrid is received at the egress end of the contact tube or tubes R and conducted away from the apparatus.

O is a pipe leading to the apparatus from a source of a mixture of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen.

'U @W12 U3 v4, dre., are hand-valves of ordinary construction for closing or partially closing the pipes in which they are respectively placed, whereby the operator is enabled to cut off or regulate the current of gas contain-1 ing sulfur dioxid and oxygen or of air, as the case may be.

G is a heater of any suitable construction adapted for heating the gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen or air passing through it.

H is a heat-interchanger by which the air which has cooled the contact substance isv conducted adjacent to the gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen on its way to the ingress end of the contact tube or tubes, so that the gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen may be heated by the excess of heat due to the reaction extracted by the air from the contact substance. By placing the contact substance in the tube or tubes R, which upon removal of the cover, as D, are open at the top, the tubes may be charged with the contact substance dropped in at the top, so that, as indicated by the broken lines in the figures, it will extend substantially across the opening through the tube R. It thus forms an obstruction or an impediment through which the gases are obliged to pass and which by reason of the tubular form of the receptacle R containing it and also by reason of its lying substantially against the walls of said tube, which walls are cooled by the current adjacent thereto on the outside, presents conditions for effecting the uniform cooling of the contact substance.' This result is further facilitated by the fact that the passage S is formed by the combining with said tube or tubes R of the inclosure S2 in a form by means of which each tube Ris substantially jacketed by the cooling-current, and the thin walls S2 of which (where the cooling-current consists of the gases to be treated) permit the heat transfer, which enables the air-current in the passage S to assistas an efficient temperature regulator. In those forms of the apparatus wherein the gas to be treated is employed as the cooling-current the branches of the pipe O leading, respectively, to the passage S and to the cover D, with their valves v o o2, 85e., enable the operator to so apportion the current entering the cover D between that which is heated and that which is unheated as to greatly assist in maintaining the desired temperature of the gases when they enter the contact substance, and so to secure the greatest efciency.

In Fig. l, M represents a structure of brickwork or other suitable material. WVithin this a' pipe R is fixed, leaving the passage S' between. This pipe R consists of two parts ct and b, which have different functions and may differ from one'another in length and diameter; also, either part can be replaced b'y a plurality of narrower pipes. The portion b of the pipe R is occupied by the Contact substance, (indicated in the drawings by broken section-lines,) and this is cooled by the cold air entering S at n. In the other part a of the pipe R the gases containing the sulfur dioxid, which enter at O, are heated to the temperature necessary for the reaction.

When commencing the operation, the whole apparatus is rst raised to the temperature necessary for the reaction `by heating by means of h t-say gas-flames. Then when rich gases are used after the reaction has once commenced further heating of the ap,- paratus is unnecessary, because the air as it passes through the structure M in contact with that part l) of the pipe R in which the reaction is in progress in extracting the eX- cess of heat due to the reaction absorbs heat and then transfers suflicient heat to the other portion a to prevent a change of position of the reaction zone or the entire cessation of the reaction. The current of air can be regulated by means of the updraft-openings L L, which are adjustable by the slides Z Z. It is regulated in such a way that the contact mass in h is constantly maintained at the most favorable temperature for the reaction. When the gases contain but little sulfur dioxid, the air which is somewhat heated by its cooling action on the contact substance is further heated by suitable means h h, (such as gasflames,) so that the gases liowing in through parta receive a greater increment of heat. When the gases are still poorer in sulfur dioxid, it maybe necessary to continuallyheat to some extent the current of air flowing in through n, either by means of the gas-Haines at h h or in some other way. The gases containing the sulfuric anhydrid, issuing from the contact-chamber b, leave the apparatus by the pipe c and are worked up in any suitable way.

In Fig. 2 an apparatus is represented made up of a plurality of contact-tubes R R, which are in connection with one another by means of the two tube-plates W W and the covers D D3 above and below. In other respects it resembles Fig. 1.

1n Fig. 3 within brickwork M a tube S2 is fixed to the tube-plates W W. It contains IOO IIO

the tube R, extending through or registering withopenings through the tube-plates, which close the ends of the space between said tubes R and S2. The apparatus is brought to the reaction temperature from any source ofheating-forinstance, the gas-dame h-the gases from which can pass away through the flue L. When the reaction is in progress, the source of heat h can usually be extinguished and unheated air be allowed to circulate through the passage S, thus contributing to the cooling of the whole apparatus. The gases to be treated are passed through the entrance-passages E or E or E and E into the passage S. The Valves o and o enable the operator to utilize either or both passages. The temperature of the said gas to be treated can be further regulated by a heating apparatus G. This gas cools the contact substance in R and passes on through the openings A and F and the mixing-chamber formed by cover D into the contact substance in the pipe R. The treated gas issues thro ugh c. The temperature of the gas can also be regulated before entering D by closing the valve U4 and openingthe valve o5, so that the current must pass through the temperature-regulator H'. By closing or partially closing valve o2 and opening valve 'u2 the gas mixture to be treated can be made in whole or in part to enter the contact chamber or tube through passage F2 without passing through the passage S.

In Fig. 4 a plurality of pipes R are coupled up in one common apparatus. I find the form of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4 of great practical use, and therefore further describe I have found that in large apparatus containing many pipes it is advisable to arrange that the current ot' gas in the passage or chamber S be thoroughly subdivided. This is effected in the iirst place by the aid of the gas-chambers A/ A2, which serve to introduce the gas into the pipe S2 around its entire circumference. Further, by the use of tubes B B', passing diametrically through S2 and furnished with holes at the sides, varying in size in proportion to the section of the circle corresponding thereto, the `gas is divided up in a uniform way in the interior of the chamber S. In order that the cooling-gas may retain the direction of its current and pass as near as possible to the contaaet substance, I further insert at intervls, which must be not too great, a number of bafies C C' C', which are arranged within the chamber S in such a way that in passing them the gases are compelled to pass close by the walls of the tubes R R. Further, it is desirable to thoroughly mix the gases before their entrance into the contact substance in order to equalize their temperature. The mixing apparatus N serves this purpose. The cover D is made of two parts Dl and D2, with the mixer N placed in the opening at the center of D', through which the gases must pass in proceeding from the openings A3, located at the of the apparatus and especially within the covers D and D2. This regulation should be continued until analyses of the gases entering and leaving the apparatus show that the most favorable practical result is being obtained. h2 h2 represent a gas-burner whereby I heat the chamber D3,through which the gases pass away from the egress ends of the contacttubes in order to maintain such a temperature that the said outgoing gases will not at'- tack the material of the apparatus. This gasburner can also be used, in the first instance, for heating up the whole apparatus.

In Fig. 5 is shown a form of apparatus in Awhich the gas-distribution chambers v(corresponding with those marked A A2 in Fig. 4) are extended to form a jacket A4 to the Whole apparatus, thus utilizing the radiant heat of the apparatus to heat the cooling-gases. The said jacket is .shown as being provided with bafe-plates A5 for giving a circuitous course to the gases. In this form the gas mixture to be treated entering at E passes downward through the jacket-passage S4, thence into the pipes B and B', by which it is distributed in the chamber S, and then pursues the same course as in Fig. t. A portion of the gas mixture may, however, be introduced into the jacket-passage at the bottom by opening valve v6.

In Fig. 6 is shown a form of apparatus in which the cooling-stream of air or gas is caused by a ventilator or fan V to stream through G and E E into S. This current cools the tube R and leaves S by A. The heat of the gas issuing at A can be used in any Way desired-for instance, by transferring it to the cold gases to be treated in a suitable apparatus H, which gases can be passed in whole or in part through the heatintesrchanger H by the operation of the valves we In Figs. 7 and 8 I illustrate a further typical form of apparatus which is particularly suited for use when treating gas mixtures rich in sulfurdioxid. The current of gas coming through O is led through F2 to the hottest part I of the contact substance in R. In this way the relatively coldest gas is brought to act upon the hottest part of the contact substance and energetically cools this. The cooling-gas current can leave the passage S through A6 or A7 or through A6 and A7 and can then be conducted either directly through O2 to D or through the cooler H2 to D or through O2 and H2 to D, thereby having its temperature regulated. Also a portion of sage F4 and transverse perforated pipeF5,

whereby the gases from F3 are distributed in the passage S; also, the circumferential passages A8 A9 and transverse passages B2 B3, whereby the gases entering the passages A6 A7 are taken from the passage S at various points; also, the mixer N in the cover D. Here also the regulation of the current of gas is based -upon gas analyses and readings of thermometers.

In Fig. 9 air or other gas can be used for cooling instead of the gases to be treated. This is especially desirable when rich gases are to be treated, for their volume and quantity are comparatively small and might not be sufficient to cool efficiently. The coolingcurrent of air or gas is blown by a fan or ventilator V to the hottest part of the contact substance and streams through S. It cools the contact substance and leaves the apparatus by A6 or A7. The heat contained therein can be used in any way desired-for instance, for heating up the gases to be treated entering by F6 :in the heat-interchanger H, so that the reaction-zone P does not change its position.

In Fig. lO, in inciosure M, a pipe S2, closed at the bottom, is fitted to a tube-plate W, and into this pipe projects a tube R, which extends through the 'tube-plate. The gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen enters the tubular pocket S2 at the top and descends in the space S to the bottom of the pocket,where it enters the contact-tube R and ascends through the same, and the sulfuric anhydrid escapes through the cover D and passage c. The tubular pocket S2 is surrounded by the upwardly-moving air-current in S', which may be heated by the gas-flame h below the pocket.

In Fig. ll a plurality of tubes are used si milar to that shown in Fig. 10, excepting that the tubular pockets S2 extend through an additional tube-plate W2, so as to form a boxlike chamber K between the tube-plates W and W2, into which the gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen passes from the pipe o on its way to the top of the tubular pockets S2, and the space in K serves for the distribution of the entering gases. The gases stream through the space S and cool the contact substance in R. They can be heated further by the source of heat h or cooled by a stream of air regulated at L. The treated gases leave the apparatus through D 'and c.

In the drawings accompanying this application the scale may be taken as being about one-twentieth of real size; but of course the size of the tubes and the relative sizes of the various parts can be varied without departure from the invention.

Mode of procedure: In the above exam plcs I have described various forms of my apparatus and different ways of using the same. I will now give a concrete example of a manner of proceeding in order to obtain as favorable a result as possible when taking the case of a mixture of gases containing about twelve per cent., by volume, of sulfur dioxid and a similar quantity of oxygen (the balance of the volume consisting, substantially, of an indifferent gas, such as nitrogen) and treating this mixture in the apparatus of Fig. 4. I heat the apparatus iirst-say with gas-burners h2-until a thermometer showsa temperature at about the position of the letter D of about 300 centigrade. Then the source of heat is cut off, and I then pass the entire stream of gas into the apparatus at A. The temperature within the cover D first rises. When it has reached a temperature favorable for the reaction, the upper valve e2 is opened, so that, a part of the gas enters directly through F2. The gases entering and leaving the apparatus are analyzed to determine their contents of sulfur dioxid, and in this way the practical effect is determined. I regulate the temperature in the interior of the contact apparatus on the basis of the readings of the thermometers in D and D3 by so arranging the cooling-stream of gas and the intensity of current by means of the valves fu, o', u2, and es, and the temperature, if necessary, with the aid of the heater G that the most favor- IOC able conversion of the gas into sulfuric anhydrid is achieved. In the above example I achieve this object by passing about twothirds of the entire gas-current in at A and one-third direct through F2 into D, so that the temperature in D, which becomes uniform, owing to the action of the mixingchamber N, is about 380 centigrade, While the thermometer in D3 indicates about 23ft centigrade. In this actual case, taken from experimental practice on the factory scale, I effected a conversion of from ninety-six to ninety-eight per cent. of that theoretically possible while making from forty to fty kilograms of sulfuric anyhydrid per pipe R in twenty-four hours. The conversion can IIO be increased to ninety-nine per cent. if the gas be permitted to remain longer in the presence of the contact substance. It will be noticed that in this actual case when once the reaction has started no external source of heat is employed for its continuation.

about the ordinary temperature ofthe air. By their cooling action on the contact substance they absorb suiiicient heat from it to raise their temperature to that necessary for the reaction, and the resulting gases, containing sulfuric anhydrid, on account of this cooling action leave the apparatus at a temperature of about 23tthat is, far below that at which reaction took place. These featuresthe cold entering gases, no external source of heat, and gases leaving the apparatus at a The `gases to be treated enter the apparatus at or temperature considerably lower than that of the reaction-can' all be accomplished by my apparatus. If weaker gases than those containing abouttwelve per cent., by volume, of sulfur dioxid ybe employed, a slight external heating of the cooling-gasesmay be desirable. Thus with gases containing from eight or down to, say, six per cent. sulfur dioxid it is recommended to heat them to a temperature of about o to 250 centigrade; butin such cases also the characteristics mentioned can be seen, namely: The temperature of the gases entering the apparatus is lower than that at which the reaction takes place in the apparatus, there is little or no further heating of the apparatus, and the gases leaving the apparatus possess a temperature below that at which the reaction took place.

I claiml. Inan apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination, with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openingsand means whereby a cooling medium is maintained in relation to said contact material, substantially as described, whereby the excess of heat due to the reaction is removed from said contact material.

2. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the Contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings and means whereby a cooling medium is maintained in relation to said contact material substantially as described, whereby the temperature at the hottest part of the contact-chamber is maintained between the composing and decomposing temperatures of the sulfuric anhydrid being formed.

3. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a holder whereby a cooling medium is held in heat-extracting proximity to said contact material and means whereby the temperature of said medium may be regulated between limits below the decomposing temperature of the sulfuric anhydrid being formed.

4. In an apparatus for the manufacture of Asulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in

egress openings, an inclosure forming a passage adjacent to said receptacle and communicating-with said ingress-opening and a conduit whereby said passage is supplied with a gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen.

G. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress-openings, two conduits supplying gas containing sulfur dioXid and oxygen to said ingress-opening, one of which conduits extends Within cooling proximity to said contact material.

7. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, two conduits supplying gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen to said ingress-opening, one of which conduits eX- tends within cooling proximity to said con- -tact material and means whereby the cooling capacity of the current through said conduits is regulated.

8. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, two conduits supplying gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen to said ingress and egress openings, one of which conduits extends within coolingproximity to said contact material and means whereby the temperature of the current passing through said last-mentioned conduit is regulated.

9. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with t-he contact material, a receptaele for the same containing ingress and egress openings, an inclosure forming a cooling-medium passage adjacent to said receptacle, a plurality of conduits supplying cooling medium at different points of said passage and valves whereby said conduits are controlled.

10. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a temperature-regulator for the gases on the way to said ingress-opening and a conduit supplying the gases to said temperature-regulatorand extending wit-hin cooling proximity of said contact material.

1l. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a plurality of conduits through which currents, at different temperatures, of the gases to. be converted are supplied to said ingress-opening and means for regulating the relative volume of said currents whereby the temperature of the gases entering the contact material is controlled.

12. In an apparatus for the manufacture of IIO rents whereby the temperature of the gasesV entering the contact material is controlled.

13. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same con taining ingress and egress openings, an inclosure forming a cooling-medium passage adjacent to said receptacle and a fluid-burner whereby said cooling medium may be heated to a point regulatably below the decomposing temperature of sulfuric anhydrid being formed.

14. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, an inclosure forming a cooling-medium passage adjacent to said recep* tac-le and means whereby said cooling medium may be heated at a plurality of points along said passage and mechanism whereby the heating capacity of said heating means may be controlled independently of each other.

15. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material,aseries of receptacles for the same open at the exit ends and a cover Di'common to all of said receptacles at the exit end thereof whereby a receiving-chamber is provided for the sulfuric anhydrid being formed.

16. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact materiahaseries of receptacles for the same open at the exit ends and a cover D3 common to all of said receptacles at the exit end thereof whereby a receiving-chamber is provided for the sulfuric anhydrid being formed and means for heating the sulfuric anhydrid in said receiving-chamber.

17. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the cont-act process, in combination with the contact material,a series of receptacles for the same open at the exit ends and a cover D3 common to all of said receptacles at the exit end thereof whereby a receiving-chamber is provided for the sulfuric anhydrid being formed and a cover D common to all of said receptacles at the ingress end thereof whereby a supply-chamber is provided for the gases about to be converted.

18. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the con tact material,a series 0f receptacles for the same open at the exit ends and a cover D3 common to all of said receptacles at the exit end thereof whereby a receiving chamber is provided for the sulfuric anhyd rid being formed, and a cover D common to all of said receptacles at the ingress end thereof whereby a supplychamber is provided for the gases about to be convert-- ed and an inclosure S2 common to all of said receptacles whereby the cooling medium :is held in contact therewith.

19. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and 'egress openings; the said contact material -tact material whereby the formed sulfuric anhydrid is heated to about 231 centigrade.

21. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a conduit leading from a source of gas containing sulfur dioXid and oxygen to said ingress, a cooling-medium holder adjacent to said receptacle and communicating with said ingress, a conduit leading to said cooling-medium holder from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen and a conduit whereby the sulfuric anhydrid is conducted away from the said egress end.

22. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process', in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder adjacent to said receptacle and communicating with said ingress, a conduit leading to said cooling-medium holder from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen, an in'- closure forming a passage adjacent to said cooling-medium holder and means whereby the temperature in `said passage may be regulated.

23. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder adjacent to said receptacle and communicating with said ingress, a heating apparatus Gr, a conduit leading from asource of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen to said heating apparatus, a conduit leading from said heating apparatus to said cooling-medium holder, a con-duit whereby sulfuric anhydrid is con- IIO ducted away from the egress end of said receptaele.

24. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a rcceptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder adjacent to said receptacle and communicating with said ingress, a conduit from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen, branch conduits from the same to said cooling-medium holder and to s'aid ingress, respectively, and` a passage whereby the sulfuric anhydrid is conducted away from said egress. l

25. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder adjacent to 'said receptacle and communicating with said ingress, a conduit leading to said cooling-medium holder from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen, means whereby the tiow of said gas is regulated and means whereby the temperature of the same as it enters said cooling-medium holder is regulated.

`26. In an'apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a conduit leading from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen to said ingress, a cooling-medium holder adjacent to said receptacle and communicating with said ingress, a conduit leading to said cooling-medium holder from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen, a mixer for the gases on their way to said ingress and a passage whereby the sulfuric anhydrid is conducted away from the said egress.

27. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a plurality of receptacles for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder adjacent to said receptacles, baffles in said cooling-medium holder and means whereby the temperature in said cooling-medium holder is regulated below the decomposing temperature of the sulfuric anhydrid being formed.

28. In an apparatus :for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, aplurality of receptacles for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder through which said receptacles extend, a conduit leading from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen to said inclosure, a conduit whereby said inclesure is connected with the ingress ends of said receptacles, a conduit whereby the sulfuric anhydrid is conducted away from said egress end and an inclosure forming an airspace around said holder and means whereby said air-space may be heated.

29. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a plurality of receptacles for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder through which the same extend and communicating with said ingress ends, a conduit leading from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen, a distributer connecting said conduit with said holder and a conduit whereby the sulfuric anhydrid is conducted away from said egress ends.

30. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a plurality of receptacles for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooling-medium holder through which the same extend and which communicates with said ingress, a conduit leading from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen to said holder, baflies whereby said gases are caused to impinge against the surfaces of said receptacles in passing through said holder, a mixer in the path of said gases from said holder to said ingress and a conduit for conducting the sulfuric anhydrid away from said egress.

3l. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a cooliugmedium holder within heat-absorbing proximity thereto, a conduit leading from said cooling-medium holder, a conduit leading from a source of gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen to the said ingress; said two conduits passing in heat-transferring proximity whereby the heat absorbed by said cooling medium is transferred. to the gases about to undergo the contact.

32. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and egress openings, a pocket into which the ingress end of said receptacle projects and a supply-conduit connected with said pocket whereby the gas-supply on its way to said ingress is obliged to travel between the walls of said pocket and said receptacle.

33. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptaclo for the same containing ingress and egress openings, an inclosure forming a passage adjacent to said receptacle and communicating with said ingress-opening, a conduit whereby said passage is supplied with a gas containing sulfur dioxid and oxygen and a huid-burnery whereby said gas is heated.

3i. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulfuric anhydrid by the contact process, in combination with the contact material, a receptacle for the same containing ingress and IOO IIO

egress openings, an inclosure forming a coo1 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set ing-medium passage adJacent to said recepmy hand in the presence of two subscribing ,tac1e, a second inclosure forming a second witnesses.

cooling-medium passage adjacent to said first RUDOLF KNIETSCH. 5 inclosure and means for regulating the tem- Witnesses:

perature of said second cooling-medium pas- ERNEST F. EHRHARDT,

sage. BERNHARD C. HEssE. 

